The Pilates Body Instructors:

Our instructors possess a diversity of personal and professional experience, leading to a personalized and personable fitness program for you. Each instructor has graduated from an elite and rigorous Pilates training program. Our" body" of instructors brings you years of added expertise from many disciplines, such as physical therapy, dance, equestrian sports, and strength and endurance training.

Kelly Tourgeman, owner of, and instructor at The Pilates Body, received her instructor certification from the New York-based PhysicalMind Institute and has continued her education by attending various fitness organizations' workshops. Having just had her first baby this June, Kelly has concentrated her continuing education on pre and post-natal training as well as Pilates for back pain and injury. Pilates was a godsend throughout her pregnancy, keeping her fit, trim, healthy and sane! A self-professed fitness addict, Kelly has discovered that Pilates has improved her own body and mind, and she would like to share this experience with you.

Laura Garvin was first exposed to Pilates training under Jillian Hessel at California Institute of the Arts in 1996. Pilates became a crucial part of her course work as a dancer during the following years. After graduating CalArts with a BFA in Dance in 2000, Laura decided to expand her Pilates training by studying New York style Pilates under the tutelage of Jill Cassady at Absolution in Los Angeles. Laura's style of teaching draws elements from East and West Coast styles, creating a hybrid form of Pilates that is easily adaptable to the varying needs of her clients. Laura's energetic approach ensures clients a fun, informative and challenging workout experience.

Siuan McGahan first discovered the benefits of Pilates when she had to curtail running and biking due to knee problems. She began teaching nearly 10 years ago and continued to teach part-time while working in the fields of engineering and visual effects. Growing more and more tired of sitting in front of a computer all day and realizing she enjoyed sharing her love of Pilates more, she decided to leave her desk job to paint, make music and teach pilates. Siuan sought her Pilates certification through Body Arts and Sciences Intl (BASI) studying directly with Rael Isacowitz. She is an amateur triathlete and has participated in many ultra-distance biking events, including a 400 mile Aids Vaccine Ride and many local centuries. Siuan recently gave birth to her first child via cesarean section, so she has first hand experience with pre/post natal pilates.

Elizabeth Herman began doing Pilates about ten years ago while training in ballet. After dancing professionally for several ballet companies here in Southern California, she decided to take some time off from the dance world. At this time, she was certified through the Stott Pilates method at the John Garey Pilates Studio in Long Beach, California for Mat, Reformer, and Cadillac work. She has been teaching for over three years and has extensive experience working with athletes including ice skaters, dancers, boxers, and tennis and golf players.

Kimerlee Curyl is addicted to movement, whether it be dance, horseback, yoga or pilates. She has been teaching Pilates for nearly 8 years now. With a certification in the New York style of Pilates, she incorporates many different philosophies into her teaching depending on a client's fundamental needs. She holds a Level I certification in Anusara Yoga, which helps inform her Pilates practice. Kimerlee is also a self taught photographer and an avid horsewoman. The 14-year-old Kimerlee remembers telling her mother that she would live surrounded by mountains and horses, and finally in 2004 a little girl's dream came true, when she moved to California from Minnesota, and everything shifted focus. Pounding the Hollywood pavement gave way to the pounding of hooves through the Griffith Park Mountains and a camera at her side most of the time. She also works shooting for actors, producers and many equine clients: editorial and personal photo shoots. Outside of the studio or riding ring, Kimerlee devotes her time to helping save America's horses, working with Neda DeMayo, Founder of Return to Freedom-The American Wild Horse Sanctuary.

Crystal Racedo was born and raised in Burbank, California. She received her Pilates certification at CORE Conditioning in Studio City. Having been very active all her life, enjoying sports and outdoor activities like softball, volleyball, horse back riding and snowboarding, she realized that a physically active and healthy lifestyle is what she loves the most. She first discovered Pilates when she was rehabilitating from a knee injury. The powerful recovery she experienced in her own body inspired her to teach Pilates to others. Crystal combines her personal knowledge and experience with the Pilates Method to introduce, restore, and maintain effective movement patterns which allow the body and mind to function together in a more efficient, conscious, and healthy way. Crystal's goal is to make Pilates safe, fun, and accessible for people of all fitness levels.

Josie Morgan received her Pilates instructor certification at the prestigious Ellie Herman Studios in San Francisco. (Ellie Herman is a master teacher, herself studying with Joseph Pilates' disciples Romana Kyranowska and Kathy Grant.) The certification program is modeled after the original Joseph Pilates' 600-hour teacher training with a deep emphasis on kinesiology, posture and biomechanics. Josie came to Pilates from a dance background after a fellow dancer recommended that she try it to correct her repetitive movement injuries and postural imbalances. Josie studied ballet, African and Brazilian dance, and performed with Ginga Brasil as well as San Francisco's The Cantankerous Lollies. She currently practices and specializes in the Charleston, "black bottom," and other early twentieth century Jazz dances. Josie addresses each student's postural issue(s), succeeding in making her clients stronger, and ready to function, move and even dance!